Wood worm advice required

househunt

Hi everyone,

After recently purchasing our property, I've found some patches woodworm holes in the main roof joists. They are mainly at the upper half of two joists and from what I can tell they don't seem to be active.

I've attached the photos below and would appreciate any advice given.

Thanks

G_M

Most properties especially if older(?) have a few holes. That does not look extensive. The beams are certainly not about to collapse or disapear into wood dust!

And if it's not active then there's really no issue.

If you're concerned though, get an expert o look. NOT a woodworm treatment salesman offering you a free 'survey' though.

Norman_Castle

Are you sure they are not drawing pin holes? There are drawing pins there. In the picture with the blue pin one hole has damage which looks like something has been pulled out of it and another shows the outline of a drawing pin head. Woodworm holes are neater than these and vary in size.

ripplyuk

I also think those might just be drawing pin holes. I had woodworm in a previous house and an active infestation is usually obvious by the dust they leave around the holes, from burrowing into the wood. I'm no expert though.

househunt

Thanks for your replies. Not sure if they are drawing pin holes, but the woodworm issue was brought up in our survey report, so I would have thought that a surveyor would know the difference between a woodworm hole and a drawing pin, right?

Norman_Castle

Try putting a piece of wire into the holes. If it only goes in the length of a drawing pins pin they were very odd wood worms. Try putting a drawing pin in the holes to see how well it fits. Try making some more holes with a drawing pin and compare them with the ones you already have.